12-14-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 14, 2025
I had a chapel wedding yesterday, and from what I heard, the wedding party had some challenges and mishaps on their way to the wedding. There was clearly some stress when they arrived, and both the groom and the bride looked a little distant at the beginning of the ceremony. When it came time for my meditation, it was specifically written for them, and there were a couple of humorous thoughts. The tension in their faces began to slip away, and when it came time for communion, I served the couple and then the couple served the congregation. There was some laughter, as a few of the people pulled some really big chunks of bread off the loaf… probably enough for a small sandwich. It was rather beautiful to watch the Lord’s Supper become a vehicle by which the Spirit brought a different mood and perspective to the ceremony. Everyone left with joy and even some giggles. I won’t pretend to explain in advance what Communion will do for a community, but I am continually amazed at its capacity to shift people’s perspective and even form a gathering in such a way that it better reflects the one who serves as the host of the meal, Jesus Christ.

Holy God, O Spirit of Power and Presence at the table, thank you for showing up with such formative grace. Some will say it is ‘just a meal,’ but we claim there to be purpose in the breaking of bread and the sharing of a cup. Amen.